Effects of the Swimming Exercise on Learning and Memory and c-fos Expression within Nac of the Aging Rats Induced by D-galactose

Objective:To explore the effects of the 8-week swimming exercise on learning and memory,the level of serum testosterone,and expression of c-fos within nucleus accumbens(Nac) of brain in the aging male rats by D-galactose.Methods:Thirty SD aged rats were chosen and randomly divided into 3 groups:the control group(C),the aging model control group(AC),the aging model training group(AT).Radial maze was used to assessed each animal's capability of learning and memory,the level of serum testosterone was examined,and c-fos expression within Nac was detected and analyzed by using ABC immunohistochemical technique and semi quantitative.Results:1) Compared with the C group,the level of testosterone of blood plasma decreased(P0.01),VME,RME and TE significantly increased(P0.01)in the AC group;Compared with the AC group,the level of testosterone of blood plasma increased(P0.05),VME,RME and TE significantly decreased(P0.05) in the AT group;2)Compared with the C group,the amount and area of c-fos within Nac obviously decreased(P0.05),the gray degree was not significant different(P0.05) in the AC group;Compared with the AC group,the amount and area of c-fos within Nac obviously increased(P0.05),the gray degree increased but it was not significant different(P0.05) in the AT group.Conclusion:The swimming exercise may enhance the learning and memory ability of the aging rats,its mechanism might be that swimming exercise increase the level of serum testosterone and reinforced expression of c-fos within Nac at the same time.